Experts discuss potential of maintaining cognitive function through dietary intake

Reviewed by James Ives, M.Psych. (Editor)Aug 30 2018

Aging is a highly complex process marked by a succession of events that may lead to an altered brain function, including neurodegenerative diseases. To date, the precise cause of cognitive decline remains quite elusive. ILSI Europe's experts discuss and debate the potential for maintaining cognitive function through dietary intake during a Symposium on 'Nutrition for the Aging Brain' held in Madrid 30-31 August 2018.

Decline on cognitive abilities with age occurs in healthy individuals and spreads through adult lifespan. The mechanisms contributing to normal aging, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and vascular dysfunction are the same as those contributing to the development of neurological diseases. In pathological conditions these mechanisms become exacerbated, triggered by different factors which might be genetic or environmental. Despite a wealth of data on how nutrients and diets may support cognitive functions and preserve brain health, the therapeutic and pharmacological potential of these natural compounds still remains to be fully translated in humans and in clinical conditions. ILSI Europe's Nutrition and Mental Performance Task force embarked on this topic to review the evidence supporting how nutrients, food and diet influence brain health by organizing a series of events on this topic.

This ILSI Europe's symposium will specifically focus on clinical aspects and novel strategies developed to determine whether diet and nutrients have efficacy in individuals affected by dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions. During two days, experts will discuss specific biomarkers of either food intake or cognitive health; debate the impact of nutrition on brain functions using neuroimaging technologies; and address the influence of the gut microbiota and other lifestyle factors such as early-life nutrition. New methodologies that could be applied to dementia will be presented, discussing how nutrition could play a role. Finally the symposium should bring some new lines of thoughts. The conclusions of this event and future routes for nutritional interventions will be summarized in the symposium proceedings.